Nonlocality in the nucleon-nucleon interaction and three-nucleon bound states

We address the problem of a possible nonlocality in the nucleon-nucleon interaction and its consequences for the description of the three-nucleon bound states ³H and ³He. A nucleon-nucleon potential model is constructed, which respects the local behavior of traditional nucleon-nucleon interactions at longer ranges but exhibits a nonlocality at shorter distances. It provides for an accurate fit of all existing nucleon-nucleon data and takes into account breaking of charge independence and charge symmetry. With this interaction model the ³H and ³He binding energies can be described simultaneously in perfect agreement with experimental data. No three-nucleon force is needed as in the case of purely local nucleon-nucleon potentials.